WeR1FamilyTemper
April 30th 2007 12:14
A Zen student came to Bankei and complained: "Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?"
"You have something very strange," replied Bankei. "Let me see what you have."
"Just now I cannot show it to you," replied the other.
"When can you show it to me?" asked Bankei.
"It arises unexpectedly," replied the student.
"Then, it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time.
When you were born you did not have it, und your parents did not give it to you. Think that over", so concluded Bankei.
Source: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
Image source: alisonctuck.typepad.com
"Just now I cannot show it to you," replied the other.
"When can you show it to me?" asked Bankei.
"It arises unexpectedly," replied the student.
"Then, it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time.
When you were born you did not have it, und your parents did not give it to you. Think that over", so concluded Bankei.
Source: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones
Image source: alisonctuck.typepad.com
If our basic nature was "evil", we would never move instinctively to save a child from falling, a man from drowning, or anyone from anything. Instead, our true nature is love, oneness and fairness.
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Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
wise words indeed..too bad many don't realize that sudden unexpected anger rises from a source they don't truly understand...
Great post!
Take care,
Nick